Typography

Share This

THE party's over - now let's get down to the business of securing Roy Keane's job.

This is the message today from Blues midfielder Carlos Edwards, who gave his full backing to the under-pressure manager.

Edwards is looking to get back into the Town side for the visit to Scunthorpe on Saturday after being dropped to the substitutes' bench for last weekend's 3-1 Championship victory over Blackpool.

He was in the Town party that travelled to London on Sunday for their Christmas party.

“We had a great time,” said Edwards. “But we know as players we have to keep our eyes on the ball.

“A run of bad results could get the manager the sack as has been shown by the changes made by other clubs at the wrong end of the Championship table.

“We don't want that - we want to kick-on with the gaffer and look to a bright 2010.

“The manager is not the person he is often portrayed and we can all see the other side.

“He speaks his mind, but he wouldn't be Roy Keane if he didn't.”

Reflecting on the good night out in London, Edwards went on: “On and off pitch team spirit must be good. And we have that with a great bunch of lads.

“It is wonderful nights like Sunday that builds the unity that you need to have.

“But the bigger picture is to now move on and lift Ipswich Town into the top half of the table.

“You could see in training yesterday the extra spring that everybody has in their step right now.”

Along with Alex Bruce, Stern John and Luca Civelli, Edwards spent yesterday afternoon handing out presents to children in Bergholt ward of Ipswich Hospital yesterday.

The players have dug into their own pockets to provide youngsters in hospitals in Ipswich, Colchester and Bury St Edmunds with some festive cheer.

Edwards sees the next three games - with a trip to Crystal Palace on December 26 and at home to QPR two days later - as being crucial.

“Traditionally, teams that are in the bottom three after Christmas are the ones that get relegated,” he added. “We have our heads above water now having moved out of the relegation places last weekend.

“No one in our dressing room expected us to be where we are and nobody sees us going down.

“Christmas is a great time with everybody bubbly and excited, and we are in the mood to pick up a good haul of festive points.”

Edwards accepted being left out of Saturday's game as being part and parcel of the sport.

He explained: “This is a squad game, and we all have to be ready and on our toes all the while. We have to be ready to come in at any time and play our part.”